Ocean wave dynamo



May 2, 1939- A. B. SVNI'DER 2,156,550

OCEAN WAVE DYNAMO Filed July 25,' 195e 4 sheets-sheet 1 u 74 Firm I. {y} 5867 A #5w v rsa XJ 65 79 www May 2, 1939.

A. B. SNIDERl OCEAN WAVE DYNAMO Filed July 25, 1956 4 sheets-sheet 2 grwQ/wbo/b Asa Snider.

May 2', 1939 A.l B. sNlDER 2,156,550

OCEAN WAVE DYNAMO Filed July 25, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 SWW/wm K Asa Snider Patented May 2, 1939 UNirEo s'rA'rss PATENT CFFECE 4 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in a structure for supporting an ocean wave dynamo. The primary purpose and object of my invention is to provide a device that will automatically position itself in a predetermined depth of water for supporting an instrumentality to generate electric energy from the wave action at the seashore.

It is not the primary purpose and object of my invention to develop power from the rise and fall of the tide but it is the primary object of my invention to support and maintain a device to develop electric energy through Wave action.

My invention is composed of a framed structure upon which is mounted instrumentalities for converting the action of the Waves into electric energy.

I provide a Xed anchor off shore and hinge an arm to the fixed anchor and provide means for raising and lowering the arm when required. One or more pulleys are disposed in the free end of the arm around which a cable is trained. The cable leads to the framed structure and a plurality of drums are disposed upon the frame structure around which the cable is trainedv and the cable then leads to a fixed support upon the shore. An automatic actuated winding mechanism is provided for drawing the framed structure toward and away from the shore within a predetermined path in order that the framed structure and the instrumentalities associated therewith may be positioned Within a predetermined depth of water which will automatically position the framed structure so that the wave action may be taken advantage of to the maximum.

A power shaft is journaled upon the top of the framed structure. A driving gear is mounted upon the shaft and a plurality of clutches are mounted upon the shaft and at either side of the frame. The driving gear isfull oating upon the shaft and a spring or other cushion is secured to the shaft upon one of its ends and to the gear upon its other end in order that full iiexibility may be developed and in order that a cushioning eiect may be maintained between the gear and the shaft. A oat is suspended within the frame and below the top deck or platform and the float is suspended by winding cables that are secured to the clutches and upon each descending of the float, rotation is imported to the driving gear to thereby generate power upon each receding of the wave that raises the float. A power generator, as a dynamo, is driven by the driving gear and electric energy developed by the dynamo may be directly used or stored in a storage battery.

The primary purpose and object of my invention is to provide a simply constructed device that may be used as a support to maintain thereupon devices to be used in the generating of electric energy at each movement of the wave 5 coming in contact with the oat suspended within the frame of the device.

A further object of my invention consists in providing automatic means for positioning the device within a predetermined depth of water.

A further object of my invention consists in so positioning the same that it will be moved within a predetermined path to thereby place the device at its point of greatest usefulness in transforming the action of the waves into useful energy.

A further object of my invention consists in so constructing the device thatv it will be composed of a minimum number of parts, one that may be installed at the seashore and one that will automatically position itself relative to the waves that develop at different positions relative to the shore at the rise and fall of the tide.

A further object of my invention consists in so constructing the device that it will have a long and useful life with practical freedom from'operating mechanical annoyances.

With these and incidental objects in view, the invention consists in certain novel features of construction and combination of parts, the essential elements of which are set forth in the 30 appended claims, and a preferred form of ernbodiment of which is hereinafter shown with reference to the drawings which'accompany and form a part of this specication.

In the drawings: 35

Fig. l is a plan View of the assembled device. In this view the root for the structure upon which the same is mounted is shown removed.

Fig. 2 is a sectional end view of the mechanism illustrated in Fig. l. This view is taken on line 2 2 of Fig. l, looking in the direction indicated.

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatical end view of the assembled device shown as being associated with anchors, both olf-short and in-shore and the lines associated therewith for moving the device to water of a predetermined depth so that the waves will operate the suspended float at its maximum efiiciency.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary side view, partially in section, of one of the standards upon which a 50 spool is disposed and about which the operating lines are trained.

Fig. 5 isa sectional end view of one of the winding clutches. This view is taken on line 5 5 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction indicated. 55

Fig. 6 is a perspective end view of a bracket for mounting the pull and ratchet wheel for preventing the unwinding of the power shaft.

Fig. 7 is a sectional end view of a supporting column having an electric contact disposed thereupon. This View is taken on line l-l of Fig. 9, looking in the direction indicated.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary plan view of a portion of the deck and a plan view of the winding drums associated with the haul lines. The purpose of the haul lines being to maintain the assembly at the proper height to take advantage of the greatest wave action occurring along the shore line where the device is installed.

Fig. 9 is a side View, partially in section of a chamber having a float movable therein and which automatically makes and breaks an electric contact to energize the motor for automatically maintaining the assembly in water of a predetermined depth.

Fig. 10 is a sectional view of the earth off-shore illustrating any suitable deadman as an anchor imbedded therein and to which is attached a haul-back arm.

Fig. 11 is a perspective inverted plan view of the block and rollers through which the lines pass for maintaining the suspended float in its proper relationship with the deck to which it is supported.

Fig. 12 is a sectional side View of a weight tube illustrating the weight disposed therein and illustrating the same as being secured to the free end of the winding lines.

Fig. 13 is a perspective, sectional view of one of the winding drums shown removed from the shaft upon which it normally turns. 'This shows the end of line 24 secured to the drum 24A.

Like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views.

I have here shown my device as being comprised of a structural frame I having bottom runners 2 and having rounded corners 3 and 4 that connect the bottom runners 2 with upwardly extending legs 5 and 6.

I provide a suitable anchor station 'I inshore and a suitable anchor station 8 off-shore. The respective stations may be made of piling, deadmen, counter-weights, anchors, or any suitable material that is sufficiently strong for locating and withstanding the pulling pressures that are to be applied thereto. On the outside station 3 I provide an anchor band 9 at the base or adjacent the base of the anchor and hinge an arm I0 relative thereto in order that the arm I5 may have a sheave or sheaves I I disposed in the free end of the same which may be changed, reconditioned or replaced as needed. A bridle I2 is disposed about the anchor l and sheaves I3 are disposed therein. Lines I4 and I5 are trained respectively about the sheave blocks II and I3. Bridles I5 and I'I are provided at the two-part lines in order that the top one of the same may be led to the deck I8 of the assembly. A suitable cover I9 is provided for maintaining the machinery under roof if desired.

A suspended pontoon float 20 is suspended within the frame and below the deck I8 and pairs of stabilizing chains 2| and 22 are secured upon their one end to the edges of the pontoon 20 and upon their otherend to the structural frame in order that the horizontal movement of the pontoon float 20 may be regulated and maintained.

A vertical movement of the pontoon float 2D as Well as the horizontal movement ofv the pontoon float is transformed into useful work by the mechanism hereinafter to be described.

Lines 23 and 2e are secured upon their bottom ends to any suitable fastenings secured to the bottom 2 of the structural frame. Lines 23 and 24 pass through any suitable boxing 25 secured to the oat and friction is lessened by passing the respective lines between roller bearings 26 and 2l that extend horizontally through the boxing 25 and between roller bearings 28 and 29 that are disposed vertically within the end of the boxing. A plurality of ports Bil are disposed within the deck 3l through which the lines 23 and 24 pass. Grooved pulleys S2 and 33 are disposed in registry with the respective ports 30 'and about which the respective lines 23 and 24 are trained. The grooved pulleys 52 and 33 are mounted upon any suitable stub shafts 34 and 35 and the stub shafts are secured to and are supported upon shaft supporting heads 35 and 3l. It will be noted that these shaft supporting heads are in pairs, that I have shown four lines, two associated with each side of the pontoon iioats at each side and adjacent the end of the pontoon float. In order that each pair of lines 23 and 24 may be trained about a common grooved winding drum 38 I provide pulleys 39 and 40 in registry with the respective grooves of the winding drums.

The pulleys 39 and 4! are mounted respectively upon vertically disposed shafts 4I and 42 in the larger installations and where the pulleys 39 and 45, or either of them, are spaced from the grooved winding drums 38 and 35A, the respective winding drums 38 and 38A are mounted upon a common power shaft 43. The power shaft 43 is journaled within suitable pillow blocks 44 and 45. In order that the power shaft 43 may be required to rotate in one direction only, I provide a ratchet wheel 5.5 thereupon. This ratchet wheel is illustrated in detail in Fig. 6 and a pawl 4l is provided fo-r cooperating therewith, to prevent the rerotating of the power shaft 43. A spring 48 maintains the free end of the pawl 41 in intimate Contact and in engagement with the ratchet wheel 45.

A cushioning spring 49 is secured upon its one end 50 to the power shaft and upon its opposite end 5I to a wrist pin 52 that is secured to the primary driving gear 53. The gear 53 is free to rotate upon the power shaft i3 and gear teeth 54 are disposed upon the outer surface of the power gear 53. A pinion 55 coacts with the power gear 53 and is driven thereby.- The pinion 55 is mounted upon a shaft 55 and as the pinion 55 is rotated the shaft 56 will also be rotated. The shaft 55 is journaled within any suitable shaft supports 5l. A pulley 58 made relatively heavy in order that it will act as a fly wheel is also mounted upon the shaft 55 and a dynamo 59 having a driving pulley 5E! is disposed adjacent the fly wheel 58 and as the ily wheel is rotated the dynamo shaft 50 will be rotated by training any suitable driving element 5I about the driving pulley 58 and the pulley 60A of the dynamo 59.

The suspended pontoon float 2Q is suspended by pairs of supporting lines 52 and 53. The pairs of lines 52 and 53 extend through ports 64 and 65 disposed within the deck 3l of the structure. Pulley and shaft supporting heads 66 and 61 are provided. 'Ihe pulley and shaft supporting heads have shafts 68 and 69 disposed therein and having grooved pulleys l0 and 1I disposed thereupon and about which the respective lines 62 and 63 may be led directly to the grooved winding drums 'l2 and 13. I provide pulleys 'i4 and i5 at suitable positions in the line of travel of the respective lines |52 and 53.

As the suspended pontoon float support is raised through the action of the waves any slack developed in the pairs of lines 23 and 2li, 62 and 63 will be taken up b-y counter-weights l5 and Tl that are secured to the lines I3 and 79.

As the waves recede the partially immersed fioating pontoon falls and in doing so rotation is imparted to the driving shaft. If a horizontal movement is imparted to the floating pontoon the power shaft will also be rotated.

In order that the counter-weights may be moved in predetermined paths the same move within suitably constructed tubes as illustrated in Fig. 12.

The respective pairs of lines 23 and 2d, 62 and 63 are secured respectively upon their oppositely disposed ends to the floats and to the counterweights.

The pair of counter-weighted lines 'i8 are secured upon their one end to the respective winding drums "I2 and i3 and upon their oppositely disposed ends to the counter-weights l'. The pairs of counter-weighted lines 'i9 are secured upon their one end to the winding drums 38 and 38A and upon their opposite ends to the counterweights ll. The pair of counter-weighted lines I8 are trained respectively about grooved pulleys @E and 82 that are journaled and supported within frames B3 and Sil and the pair of counterweighted lines 'i9 are trained about grooved pulleys 85 and |36 that are journaled in suitable frames 91 and 88.

The armature shaft 99 of the electric motor 89 has a worm 9| disposed thereupon and the same coacts with and drives a worm wheel 92. 'I'he electric motor is energized by any suitable source of electric energy, as being directly connected to the dynamo 59 or it may be energized from a source of electric energy not here shown, as being energized from a storage battery that may be charged by the electricity developed by the dynamo 59.

The respective pulling lines I4 and |5 are trained about the respective winding drums 93 and 94, 95 and 96 and the respective pulling lines l and l5 is comprised of a single line and trained about the respective winding drums 97, 99 and 99 in Fig. 8. In order that the respective winding drums 91, 98 and 99 may Work in synchronized relationship with each other, gears |59, |6| and |02 are secured tothe respective winding drums or to the shafts upon which the same are xedly secured and coact with each other.

The purpose of the pulling lines, winding drums and the electric motor 89 is to maintain the assembled instrumentalities for the development of power through the action of the waves in a predetermined depth of the water. This is automatically accomplished by the electric switch illustrated in Fig. 9.

A chamber |93 has a float IM disposed therein and a piston rod |95 is connected with the float and upwardly extends therefrom and it has an electric contact head |96 associated therewith. Disposed in the normal line of travel of the head |96 are two independent electric terminals |01 and |98. The electric motor 89 is a reversing motor. When contact is made between the electric terminal |09 the electric motor 89 will be run in one direction and the assembled instrumentalities will be moved away from the shore. When the metal plate |99 makes contact with the electric terminal |98 the electric motor 89 will be run in the opposite direction and the assembled instrumentalities will be pulled toward the shore. The position of the float i9@ predetermines which of these contacts is being made and in which direction the instrumentalities are moved and whether away from shore or toward the shore. When the tide is going out the water will fall and the electric contact will be made by the contact head to move the assembled instrumentalities away from the shore when the other of the contacts is made due to a rising tide the contacts will be made to rotate the motor in the opposite direction and the assembly will be moved toward the shore.

Thus the position of the structure and of the pontoon will be maintained at the point of greatest wave activity which is predetermined by the depth of water in which the assembled device is positioned. and this in turn is predetermined by the tide. When the tide is out the assembled instrumentalities will be moved offshore and as the tide comes in the assembled instrumentalities will be automatically moved toward the shore to maintain the device in substantially the same depth of water irrespective of the location of the same.

Each of the windin-g drums 33, 38A, F2 and I3 has a ratchet and pawl associated therewith, the ratchet and pawl being illustrated in Fig. 5. The purpose and object of the ratchet and pawl is to prevent the rerotation of the power shaft @9. The respective ratchets and pawls illustrated in Fig. 5, are designated by H9 for the ratchet and ll for the pawl. The ratchet ||fl is directly secured to the power shaft and the respective pawls are secured to the'ilanged head H 2 of the respective winding drums 38, SSA, 12 and 13.

Where an anchor ||3 is provided as the deadman foranchoing the pulling lines, the same may be placed as illustrated in Fig. l0. When so made a link H4 is hingedly secured to the anchor H3 by a shaft H5. The oppositely disposed end of the link lll has a journal pin H5 associated therewith and upon which the sheave or grooved pulley is mounted.

The pulling lines for moving the assembly toward and away from the shore is a single line and it'is essential that the line remain taut to maintain the line in frictional pulling engagement with the sheaves about which the same is trained. I accomplish this result by journaling a shaft in the side frames ||3 and H9 in which the shafts of the drums 97, 98 and 99 are journaled.

I secure a reactance means as a spring board or a spring made of metal, as illustrated at |29 and secure the same to the shaft l Il. Riding pulleys |2| and |22 ride the line passing thereunder and the pulleys |2| and |22 are journaled on the underside of the reactance spring board |20. These brackets are illustrated at |23 and |24. These ridev the line and normally maintain the same in taut condition and free of slack.

While the form of mechanism herein shown and described is admirably adapted to fulll the objects primarily stated, it is to be understood that it is not intended to confine the invention to the embodiment herein shown and described, as it is susceptible of embodiment in various forms,

, all coming within the scope of the claims which What I claim is:

1. In a device of the class described, the combination of a structural frame, said structural frame having a bottom disposed thereunder, with said bottom having up-turned sides with rounded corners disposed therebetween, running lines outwardly extending from opposite sides of the frame, with said lines running about sheaves spaced apart therefrom, and disposed at opposite sides of the frame, with one end of said line being secured to the frame, the intermediate portion of said line being trained about a winding drum, a deck superposed above the bottom and said deck being spaces sufficiently from the bottom to be disposed above maximum wave height, power driven winding drums disposed upon the deck, a wave motor-disposed upon the deck and about which the line is trained and automatic means' for energizing the power unit for moving the frame toward and away from the shore line to automatically maintain the frame assembly within water of a predetermined depth.

2. In a device of the class described, the combinati-on of a frame having a runner disposed upon its lower end and a superposed deck, with the deck being spaced above the runner suiciently to permit the rise and fall of the tide and the waves passing therebetween, an operating line outwardly extending from the opposite sides oi the frame, with said line passing through the frame, anchored sheave blocks disposed at the opposite sides of the frame and spaced therefrom, the said line being trained about said sheave blocks and said line being trained about a driving drum with said driving drum being disposed upon the deck of the frame, a reversible electric prime mover associated with the driving drum and connected so as to drive the same, an electric circuit for supplying energy to the prime mover, a wave Imotor disposed upon the deck and adapted for energizing the prime mover and automatic means for making and breaking the circuit and for energizing the electric prime mover with said automatic circuit control means being adapted for being actuated due to the rise and fall of the tide.

3. In a device of the class described, the combination of a frame, an operating line anchored relative to the frame and outwardly extending from the opposite sides of the frame, anchored sheave blocks disposed at opposite sides of the frame and about which the operating line is trained with the operating line being trained about a windin-g drum mounted within and supported upon the said frame, a reversible electric prime mover for driving the winding drum, an electric circuit for supplying energy to the electric prime mover, a wave motor disposed upon the frame and automatic means for making and breaking the circuit and for determining the direction of rotation of the electric prime mover to actuate the same to thereby predetermine whether the frame is to be moved toward or away from the shore line.

4. In a device of the class described, the combination of a frame, a pulling line disposed at the opposite sides of the frame, with the pulling line being trained about a drum mounted within the frame, anchors disposed at opposite sides of the frame and spaced therefrom, sheave blocks associated with each of the anchors and said line being trained about the sheave blocks, a deck superposed the frame and supported thereupon, a reversible prime mover, an electric power actuated drum disposed upon the deck and about which the line is trained to provide means for. pulling the frame toward and away from the shore line, an electric circuit for supplying energy to the electric power driven winding drum, a wave motor for energizing the electric prime mover, and automatic means for making and breaking the circuit of the prime mover for driving the winding drum and said automatic means predetermim'ng the direction of rotation of the winding drum to thereby predetermine whether the frame is to be moved toward or away from the shore line and for automatically maintaining the frame in water of a predetermined depth.

ASA B. SNIDER. 

